Tips to Lower Your Utility Costs While Keeping Your Home Cool
Texas is America’s fourth-hottest state, which means in the summer, Austin, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Hutto, Leander, Pflugerville, and Round Rock, TX homeowners heavily rely on their air conditioning systems to keep them comfortable in the sweltering heat. However, when your air conditioning is working overtime, you’re prone to a spike in your electricity bills. If you’ve noticed these increases in utility costs, but you’re not sure how to lower them while keeping you and your family from melting, keep reading! Here you’ll learn some simple solutions to help you save money without sacrificing indoor comfort.
Monitor Your Electric Usage
If increasing your air conditioning usage makes your home more bearable during the summer months, you may have to scale back on using some of your other loved electronics. While you won’t want to pull the plug on your lights, refrigerator, and stove, consider unplugging phone and tablet chargers, routers, and entertainment systems while not in use. According to the United States Department of Energy, unplugging your appliances can save anywhere from $100 to $200 a year, which is extra money in your pocket that can offset your spiking energy bills in the summer.
You can also invest in different tools and devices to monitor how much power your appliances require. For example, whole-home electricity monitoring tools, monitors with appliance recognition features, home energy monitors with sensors, and energy monitors that connect to mobile apps are available to homeowners that want to track how much electricity their appliances are using. These monitoring devices will make it easier to predict your energy bills each month and can help you pinpoint where to cut back.
Take Advantage of Texas Energy Rebates
Texas residents’ electric bills are almost 20% higher than the national average. Therefore, different rebates and incentives are available to Austin, TX residents to reduce air conditioning and energy costs. We encourage you to look into other thermostat rebates and incentives, Weatherization Assistance, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®, and utility bill discount programs to help make energy costs more manageable for your family.
Check for Leaks
Leaks can wreak havoc on your property, no matter how big or small. If refrigerant leaks come from your air conditioner, your system will work harder to compensate for the changing temperatures. Once you notice a sudden increase in your energy bills or your system not cooling down your home like it used to, you need to contact your local HVAC contractor for help. Your contractor will inspect your unit for refrigerant leaks and repair them.
Use These Helpful Tips
Small changes around your home can lead to large savings. Follow these tips and tools to save money on air conditioning this summer:
- Keep Your Air Filter Clean – Dirty air conditioning filters can impede the airflow through your system. When this happens, your air conditioning unit works harder to push out cool air, increasing the energy required to function.
- Install a Smart Thermostat – A smart thermostat can be easily programmed to turn your air conditioning unit on and off at different times. By conveniently controlling your usage, you’ll be able to reduce your energy costs while keeping your home’s indoor climate comfortable when you’re there to enjoy it.
- Plant Trees Around Your Home – Trees are not only perfect for the environment, but they’re also great for saving on energy. Planting trees around your home is an eco-friendly option that helps block sunlight from entering your home through your windows. Plus, adding leafy trees and shrubbery around your air conditioner gives your unit shade, improving cooling efficiency.
- Stay Up to Date on Air Conditioner Maintenance – Keeping your HVAC system in good condition is crucial to saving money on energy bills. Without regular AC services, you can expect problems with your system to develop, costing you even more money. Skip the hassle of paying for sky-high energy bills or expensive repairs by scheduling frequent air conditioning maintenance services from your local HVAC contractor.
Have a Malfunctioning Air Conditioner? Call Honest Air Conditioning And Plumbing LLC. Today!
Let’s face it – your air conditioner goes through a lot, especially when combating the Texas summer heat. That is why Honest Air Conditioning And Plumbing LLC. provides cost-effective air conditioning solutions to Austin, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Hutto, Leander, Pflugerville, and Round Rock, TX homeowners.
As a full-service HVAC and plumbing company, we’ll keep your home and family comfortable year-round. We’re happy to be equipped with the tools and materials necessary to provide the greater North Austin communities with air conditioning installation, air conditioning maintenance, air conditioning repair, emergency air conditioning repair, duct cleaning, and so much more. We also offer basic AC maintenance plans that make servicing your air conditioning unit as cost-effective and easy as possible.
Don’t let skyrocketing energy costs ruin your summer! Instead, leave it up to the Honest Air Conditioning And Plumbing LLC. experts to care for your air conditioning system and help you save money. Reach out to us today to schedule your service.
